At Christopher’s Rare Coins, we frequently see coins that were purchased from companies with clever names that many people think are U.S. Government entities. They use the word “mint” in their company name. This isn’t an illegal practice, but it can be deceiving. I did a search of companies with the word “mint” in their […]

Since its founding in 1938, the INA has promoted the hobby of numismatics through education and our support of Iowa coin clubs, and the numerous conventions and shows held throughout the state. Each year the INA sponsors an annual coin show and convention. These conventions host a great variety of dealers from throughout the state and […]

Happy Holidays from everyone at Christopher’s Rare Coins! I hope you and your families are happy and healthy. In this issue, I would like to discuss coin shows and how they can be fun and a great learning opportunity. I started going to coin shows in Omaha and neighboring towns in Northwest Iowa when I […]

One of the most common coin buying mistakes is trusting the grade on slabbed coins.  For the novice, a slabbed coin is a coin that has been independently authenticated and graded by a certification service. “Slab” is slang for the plastic holder the coin is sealed in. The most recognized services are PCGS and NGC. […]